Practice Flashcards
(62 cards)
What was a key mistake in the USA’s military strategy in Vietnam?
The USA approached the conflict through the lens of conventional warfare rather than guerilla warfare.
This strategy failed to account for the strengths of North Vietnam and the weaknesses of the USA.
What was the Tet Offensive and its impact on the USA?
The Tet Offensive in 1968 was a military victory for the USA but a psychological defeat, highlighting a stalemate and leading to decreased public support.
Walter Cronkite’s reporting contributed to the perception of failure.
What were the consequences of Operation Rolling Thunder?
Operation Rolling Thunder aimed at the Ho Chi Minh trail but did not secure American victory and was ultimately ineffective.
The operation lasted from 1965 to 1968.
How did the American support of Diem demonstrate US failure in Vietnam?
Support for Diem’s corrupt regime led to instability and alienation of the South Vietnamese populace, contributing to the Vietcong’s strength.
Diem’s assassination in 1963 further exemplified this failure.
What were the weaknesses of the ARVN?
The ARVN was poorly paid, lacked professionalism, had low morale, and suffered frequent desertions, making it ineffective against North Vietnamese forces.
Corruption also plagued the ARVN.
What did the failure of Americanisation in Vietnam highlight?
The failure highlighted the legacy of corruption and the lack of development of the ARVN under previous administrations.
This included policies from Kennedy and Eisenhower.
Fill in the blank: The _______ involved the use of chemical weapons and search and destroy tactics in Vietnam.
Operation Ranch Hand
What was a significant consequence of the Korean War for the USA post-1953?
North Korea remained communist, threatening US interests in Asia and leading to increased tensions with the USSR.
This resulted in a focus on containing communism in subsequent conflicts.
What was the role of the Marshall Plan in US foreign policy?
The Marshall Plan aimed to economically contain communism by providing aid to European countries in exchange for trade with the USA.
This was part of a strategy to prevent countries from becoming communist.
True or False: The USA’s involvement in Europe from 1945 to 1949 was primarily driven by ideological concerns.
False
What was a result of the Sino-Soviet alliance established in the 1950s?
The alliance provided China with $300 million in aid and military support, strengthening their relationship.
This support included technology and military equipment.
What ideology did Mao criticize the USSR for during the Great Cultural Revolution?
Mao criticized the USSR for perceived revisionism and for moving away from a strict communist ideology.
This included denouncing Khrushchev’s policies of peaceful coexistence.
What was the significance of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution for President Johnson?
It provided Johnson with a ‘blank cheque’ to escalate US military involvement in Vietnam.
This resolution was a response to alleged attacks on US ships.
How did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan affect US-USSR relations?
The invasion significantly deteriorated relations between the USA and the USSR, leading to increased tensions.
This event is often viewed as a pivotal moment in the Cold War.
What was the outcome of the Panmunjom Armistice in 1953?
The Panmunjom Armistice restored the status quo and guaranteed no future warfare in Korea.
This was a significant moment in stabilizing the region post-Korean War.
What was the impact of domestic support on US involvement in the Vietnam War?
Lack of domestic support, such as protests from figures like MLK, hindered US morale and the perception of victory.
This led to a decline in public support for the war effort.
What led to the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations in the 1960s?
Ideological differences and power politics, including border clashes and competition for leadership in the communist world, caused the deterioration.
Events such as the Great Cultural Revolution further strained relations.
What was the ideological concern regarding communism in Europe after World War II?
Growing support for communism in Italy and France, with the French Communist Party having 1.7 million members in 1947
Concerns reinforced by Kennan’s long telegram (1946)
What event in 1979 significantly deteriorated relations between the USA and USSR?
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
This led to the collapse of SALT II, which was never ratified.
What doctrine did the USSR use to justify the invasion of Afghanistan?
Brezhnev doctrine
This doctrine stated that the USSR could militarily intervene in a socialist country.
What was the American response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
Carter doctrine (1980) and economic sanctions
This included a trade embargo.
True or False: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was the only factor leading to the deterioration of relations between the USA and USSR.
False
Other factors included the rise of neo-conservatives and Reagan’s anti-communist rhetoric.
What was the Reagan Doctrine?
Willingness to assist anti-communist regimes in various countries
This included Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Grenada.
What significant event occurred in 1983 involving a South Korean civil airliner?
KAL 007 was shot down by the USSR
This incident highlighted Soviet paranoia.
